RBWM cabinet to discuss approach to Government's devolution plans

The Royal Borough’s cabinet is set to discuss its approach to the Government’s devolution plans at a meeting on Wednesday.

In December, deputy prime minister Angela Rayner outlined proposals in the English Devolution White Paper to overhaul local government and bring councils together to form strategic authorities across England.

The Government’s plans include a re-organisation programme for two-tier county and district councils and unitary authorities where ‘there is evidence of failure’ or their boundaries and size are presenting problems.

For most of the areas, councils serving a population of 500,000 or more could be formed, but there may be exceptions to ensure ‘new structures make sense for the area'.

In February, neighbouring Slough Borough Council discussed the paper at a cabinet meeting and agreed to work ‘positively’ with members, partners and other stakeholders to ‘develop proposals for devolution and local re-organisation, at pace’.

On Wednesday, the Windsor and Maidenhead council’s cabinet will have the opportunity to discuss the topic and outline its approach at a meeting at York House. 

According to RBWM’s report on the agenda item, while small unitary authorities below the 500,000 threshold (which includes RBWM and other councils in Berkshire), are part of the scope of the reorganisation proposals, no timeline has been set for existing unitary authorities. 

It added that some councils in Berkshire, principally West Berkshire, are ‘actively developing proposals for new unitary structures with other authorities outside of Berkshire which could impact the wider county, including RBWM’.

“It is therefore important that the council monitors any developments.

“It is important to be clear that LGR (local government re-organisation) is not a solution to the financial challenges facing local authorities,” the report added.

The report added that it is important RBWM plays an ‘active role’ in formulating plans which are likely to impact both businesses and residents across the borough, as well as council staff and elected members.

Some initial discussions have taken place on the issue of devolution, with more in the pipeline between councils in Berkshire and Oxfordshire about the ‘possibility of forming a strategic authority’ across this footprint.

Other possible strategic authority footprints are also up for consideration across the Thames Valley area, the report added – but ‘no formal plans have been worked up’.

On local government re-organisation, the Royal Borough is ‘not yet involved in any specific discussions on how and over what footprint a larger unitary authority might be formed’.

Currently, all areas of the Royal Borough are parished apart from two areas that surround Windsor and Maidenhead.

The report said it is the Royal Borough administration’s ambition that separate town councils for Windsor and Maidenhead will be created.

The council will explore options for this through the local government re-organisations process.

While timelines are yet to be created, a programme manager will be recruited (funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund 2025/26) to form a plan and timeline for the creation of the town councils.

Cabinet are recommended to note the main proposals in the English Devolution White paper in relation to devolution and local government re-organisation.

It is also recommended members agree that RBWM, initially through the leader and chief executive, ‘should work proactively’ with neighbouring authorities, regional partners, elected members and other stakeholders to develop proposals for a new regional strategic authority.

Members are also recommended to agree that RBWM keeps ‘a watching brief’ on local government re-organisation developments.